Grain malting unit



Jan. 31,, 1933. R E, KUSSERQW 1,895,514

GRAIN MALTING UNIT Filed May 12, 1931 ZIALVENTOR.

MAW

7 BY 440M362? Patented Jan. 31, 1933 UNITED STATES REINHOLD E. KUSSEROW, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA GRAIN MALTING Um Application filed May 12,

This invention is a grain malting unit which is particularly adapted to the malting process set forth in my copending application filed May 12, 1931, Serial No. 536,794,

and which provides for the malting of grain by soaking and air agitation for short periods at intervals over a soaking period of twelve to forty-eight hours, then passing compressed air through water thence through the grain ,in requisite volume to maintain correct germination temperature throughout the period of germination.

The objects of the invention are First.To provide a malting unit in which the grain is bedded and not transferred until the malt-ing or germination is completed.

Second.To provide a unit as outlined which is easily cleaned and operated and which will conserve soluble constituents of the grain, especially enzymes which are to a great extent lost in the long continued soaking of present processes.

Third.To provide a malting unit which is easily cleaned and adapted to malting substant-ially all kinds of grain, and which will produce malt with a high percentage of vital soluble elements, prevent mould and sliming, and maintain suitable temperature through the bed of grain during the germination period.

Fourth-To provide a unit as outlined which is simple in construction, conveniently operated, requires a small amount of space for its installation, and which is efficient in its purpose. e

Other objects and advantages of the inven tion will become apparent as the following description is read on the drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which similar reference characters are used to indicate similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation through the invention; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the air distributor pipe.

The invention consists of a tank which may be formed of metal, concrete, or other 1931. Serial N0. 536,793.

impervious material, and having bottom 11, ends 12, and sides 13.

A malt chute 14 is made integral with, or fixed to the bottom 11, and extends upwardly into the tank as shown, and is provided at the top with a seat adapted to cooperate with the closure member 15 which preferably is padded with resilient material- 16 such as rubber.

An intermediate floor 17 is made of any pervious material, such as metal provided with a multiplicity of perforations 18, or slits, or may be made of fine mesh screen which Will not permit the grain to pass through. The floor 17 is removably supported by angle brackets 19 and an annular flange 20 on chute 14, although for large units additional supports or beams would be required.

A cross member 21 is supported by the sides 13 and has a central hub 22 which is threaded to receive the clamp screw 23, which is provided with a hand wheel 24 for clamping the closure 15 over the chute 14.

A pipe 25 communicates with the bottom 11 and is branched as indicated, each branch having a controlling valve 26 and 27 respectively, one of the branchesbeing a water supply while the other constitutes a drain.

A plurality of pipes 28 extend through the tank adjacent the bottom 11, and are closed so with a pipe cap 29 at the inner end and have small apertures 30 formed throughout their length, the apertures preferably being turned toward the bottom 11. A valve 31 controls the flow of compressed air through these pipes. p

Theunit is operated as follows: Pipe 32 is connected to a suitable water supply and pipe 33 communicates with a suitable drain. Pipes 34 are connected to a suitable supply of air 9 under pressure. 7

Grain 35 is bedded on the floor 17, valve 27 closed and valve 26 opened, filling the tank 10 to a point 36. Valves 31 are then opened and compressed air is forced through apertures 30 in pipes 28, passing upwardly through the water, the pervious floor 17 and bed of grain 35, agitating, washing and soaking the grain, which is continued for from ten minutes to two hours. Valve 26 is then closed and valve 27 opened, draining the water from the tank. This operation is repeated at intervals over a period of twelve to forty-eight hours, after which valve 27 is closed and the tank filled with water to the point 37. Air valves 31 are then partly opened and air passes through the water and becomes saturated, passing thence through the pervious floor 17 and upwardly through the bed of grain 35, continuing for a period up to twelve days until required germination is completed. The moistened air accomplishes a two fold purpose, keeping the grain from overheating and supplying the necessary moisture for germination, and also prevents souring and moulding. After completion of malting, the chute 14 is opened and the malt is discharged therethrough.

Having described an operative method of constructing and using the unit, it will be noted that variations in structure and arrangement of parts which are consistent with the appended claims may be resorted to without detracting from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim 1. A combination soaking and germinating malting unit, in combination, a tank, an intermediately disposed removable pervious floor in said tank, a water supply pipe and a drain communicating with the bottom of said tank, compressed air distributing and evacuating pipes below said floor and a chute extending upwardly from the bottom of said tank through said floor and closure means for said chute.

2. A combination soaking and germinating malting unit comprising a tank, a pervious floor intermediately supported and coextensive with said tank, a chute extending from said floor through the bottom of said tank, a closure for said chute, a drain pipe and a'water supply pipe communicating with the bottom of said tank, and air distributing pipes below said floor.

3. A combined soaking and germinating malting unit, comprising a tank formed into an upper and a lower compartment by a pervious removable floor, a chute communicating with said upper compartment, a water supply pipe and a drain pipe for said lower compartment, a plurality of pipes in said lower compartment provided each with a plurality of small apertures adapted to distribute compressed air or withdraw air from said lower compartment, and closure means for said chute, air supply pipe, drain pipe and water supply pipe.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

REINHOLD E. KUSSEROW. 

